1st Family Dental’s very own Vicky Khawaja, Marketing Director, had the honor of attending the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s annual Fashion Show in Chicago on November 1.  This year’s theme was “Dream a Little Dream.”  1st Family Dental was invited to the event because of our successful campaign to raise $50,000 on behalf of St. Jude.  With the participation of thousands of wonderful people, we did it!  Here are a few snapshots of the event through Vicky’s eyes!

Vicky met Stacey Pitts (Right), who is a regional administrator for St. Jude’s Chicagoland area.  Vicky said: “I’ve been working with Stacey since the beginning of our fundraising campaign.  Stacey helped to provide us with guidance, tactical support, and inspiration to help us make our campaign creative and successful!  In addition to all of that, Stacey is a wonderful human being and a true embodiment of St. Jude’s mission.  It was so wonderful to finally meet her in person.” 

Vicky met Honorary Chairperson Marcus Lemonis, who is a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and host of CNBC’s hit show The Profit. Vicky told us “I was so inspired by Marcus.  I watch his show all the time.  His business model includes the ‘Three P’s’, the first and most important of which is ‘People.’  During his speech he told us he asks himself each morning what he can do to do better and be better, and in this way he has helped so many people.  I was so excited to meet Marcus!” 

Mary Browder, age 12, is a cancer survivor, and the special guest at the event. “When it was Mary’s turn to speak,” said Vicky, “there wasn’t a dry eye left anywhere.  I was so captivated by her speech, and it was clear that everyone else was, too.  Mary told us that she was determined to get good grades and focus on her education, even while she also had to focus on her health.  Mary said that she told herself that her cancer was only temporary, and it was.  During her cancer treatments, she still got straight A’s.  But she also told us that she also got a couple of F’s – but those stood for Fun times, Friendships, and Future.  I was holding back my own tears, with only some success!  I was so proud of Mary and thankful that she will be enjoying her future thanks to St. Jude.” 

Vicky told us what an honor it was to be invited to St. Jude’s annual fashion show, and what an inspiration it has been to work with such a caring group of people who are committed to ending childhood illnesses.  “I also met committee member Sanaa Hussein, another wonderful member of the St. Jude team who is in this photo with me. You can see behind us a room full of generous, kind, and compassionate people, all of us determined to help St. Jude achieve it’s mission.  I am humbled and honored that 1st Family Dental is a part of this effort.”